Migrating to a new operating system is a major undertaking, particularly when the change will take place system wide across a business network. If such a migration is not adequately planned for, it can cause more challenges than it solves. One way to make sure that a migration goes smoothly is to employ a managed programs approach for IT support. Managed programs personnel have vast experience in helping companies to migrate their systems successfully onto a new platform and can assist firms to make the change with minimal downtime.

Sound procedures to follow during an OS migration include all of the following.

1. Strategic planning

Before any migration is seriously contemplated, businesses should acquire detailed information about the advantages and disadvantages of the new platform. Important data points to consider include the TCO, or total cost of ownership, of the new platform. This figure should include the personnel or managed programs time that will be needed for installation of the new platform.

2. Determine method of deployment

There is more than one way to conduct a migration. Many companies choose to use a full deployment from the start, while others prefer to test drive the new OS by using a deployment that occurs in stages, with some employees on the new platform before others.

3. Prepare for deployment

It may take several months to re-structure your IT infrastructure in a way that will allow the new OS to function at its most smooth level. This cost should also be figured into the total cost of ownership of the new platform.